The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-30
JOHN RUsKIN INSANE.
The Great Critics Intellect Said to
Have Completely Broken Down.

The Great Critics Intellect Said to
Have Completely Broken Down.
A London cable dispatch to the New York
Sun gives fuller particulars of tho great
misfortune that has overtaken John Ruskin.
1t says:
For some time past it has been whispered
in London that the real cause of John Rus
kin's inability at intervals to prosecute his
literary labors is a breaking down of his
mental powers, and that the accounts of ill
defined illness which are circulated concern
ing him cover what are in reality more or
less protracted periods of virtual insanity.
careful investigation confirms but too
fully the sad rumor.
Ruskin's father was q wine merchant and
left to his son fortune of 81 900 year,
which was considerably increased ON the
death of Ruskins mother. OF all that in
herited wealth absolutely nothing remains.
Its disappearance is due to Ruskin's passion
for rare and costly paintings, books, and in
fact for nearly everything that is beautiful
and expensive, and to his utter Indifference
to money He travels in most luxurious
style, having for long time past absolutely
declined to travel by railroad or steamboat
when it can possibly be avoided, and going
about from place to place in his private
carriage
His liberality, too, is unbounded, and for
years he has supported list of pensioners
broken down artists, writers, ETC., whose
multitude might brighten the purse of a
duke. Fortunately he possesses in his paint<
ings an almost inexhaustible supply of
wealth. Now and again a picture disap-
pears from his walls, and its whereabouts
remains mystery to all except the London
art dealer, Christy.
Tho 1t,.xr ,,, xx,bf nl, ~,
lives is Brentwood, beautifully and roman
tically, but unhealthfully, situated at the
base of hill into which it is, in fact, par
TALLY built 1t is densely surrounded by
trees and .shrubbery, and is near the edge of
Coniston lake, in the beautiful English lake
region. The greatest beauty of Brentwood,
however, is in the interior of the house,
which is but rarely seen by the bands of
tourists, stricken with what is known as
Ruslzinmania, who prowl about the exterior
eagerly plucking the flowers which have
been touched by John Ruskin and anxious
to walk where John Ruskin has walked. 1t
is impossible to describe within reasonable
limits the house in which Ruskin has lived,
and in which his trouble has come upon
him. It is simply an inexhaustible museum
of artistic treasures.
For a long time Ruskin has suffered from
the peculiar trouble which has caused him
much speculation, and during that time his
almost constant nurse and companion has
been his cousin, Mrs. Arthur Severn, who
has devoted herself to him with great I'M
selfishness since the divorce in which his
unhappy marriage eliminated. The pres
emit attack began in April during Mrs.
Severn's absence from Brentwood. 1t took
at first an unusually violent form, during
which he labored under great excitement,
and was utterly uncomfortable by his
friends.
Ruskin's eccentricities became accentu-
ated in great degree He took violent
dislike to Mrs. Severn, and eventually went
to live in an inn. Thence he removed to the
cottage of an old servant. His liberality
also increased, and he distributed checks
right and left until his bank account was
overdrawn. He also wrote letters all over
the country about Mrs. Severn. He was
induced to return home, but took TO his bed
in fit of melancholy. He soon conceived
tn notion that his extravaganza had made
him poor, and that he ought not to eat since
he could no longer afford to supply him
self with food. Mrs. Severn hit upon a
plan for cheering him up, and induced him
to make out check for $50, had it cashed
and convinced HIM that his checks and his
credit were still good by piling fifty gold
pieces on little table beside his bed where
he could finger them. The result was very
encouraging, Tor In a rev days Mr.. RuSkln
was up and about, and so much like his old
self that Mrs. Severn felt able to make a
trip to London.
Unfortunately, the improvement did not
last. In very short time Mrs. Severn re-
ceived telegram in London informing her
that her distinguished cousin had had a re-
lapse, and was in worse condition than
before, being very violent and excited
Since then Ruskin has partly recovered,
and he was able to leave Brentwood last
Thursday. No one at Coniston knows
exactly where he has gone, except that he
is travelling for change of air and scenery